If you’re planning to study marine biology, you’re probably focusing your college search on the coasts; after all, it’s not unreasonable to think the best colleges for marine biology would be near the ocean. But did you know that there are actually some great colleges for marine biology in the Midwest?
While true marine biology programs focused on saltwater life and ecosystems are rare in landlocked states, a handful of midwestern schools boast solid marine biology programs. These programs pair rigorous coursework with fieldwork and internship experiences offered through partnerships with coastal research facilities and universities, allowing students crucial hands-on, real ocean experience.
If you’re fascinated with ocean life and ecosystems but prefer to spend your undergrad years in the Midwest, these six schools are worth taking a serious look.
6 Great Colleges for Marine Biology in the Midwest
1. Bowling Green State University, BA/BS in Biology: Marine and Aquatic Biology
With an on-campus marine lab, two degree tracks, and required internship and fieldwork components, Bowling Green State University’s Marine and Aquatic Biology program is recognized as one of the strongest in the Midwest. The school’s 3,000-gallon indoor Marine Laboratory, home to more than 66 genera of marine life, offers students the opportunity to dive in to hands-on learning as they assist in maintaining the 40+ aquariums and take classes that integrate animal management theory with marine research, and its affiliation with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory enables students to complete the fieldwork requirement through specialized summer courses in a variety of marine topics.
The program’s flexible degree tracks allow students to tailor their major to their interests and goals, choosing either the more technical BS degree on a path toward research and graduate work or the broader BA degree for careers in policy, education, and management.
2. Central Methodist University, BA/BS in Marine Biology
For students looking for a dedicated Marine Biology program in a small-campus setting in the Midwest, Central Methodist University is a great option. CMU’s Marine Biology program emphasizes practical lab and field skills, offering hands-on experience with aquatic life in the classroom as well as school-subsidized trips to research labs and aquatic centers around the United States and internationally.
CMU students can also take advantage of the school’s partnership with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to participate in optional summer courses and earn their Advanced SCUBA certification on campus at a reduced rate. The program’s dual degree tracks allow students to earn either a BS or a BA degree to prepare for graduate programs or careers in aquariums, fisheries, environmental education, and research.
3. Northwest Missouri State University, BS in Marine Biology
Northwest Missouri State University’s Marine Biology major is one of the school’s most popular programs. With an emphasis on survey and taxonomy skills, this science-heavy BS program provides a solid foundation for students interested in field survey, monitoring, and taxonomic work. As a comprehensive major, the program integrates core subject-area courses with a range of interdisciplinary requirements, giving students a broad, well-rounded education without requiring a separate minor for graduation. NW Missouri’s articulation agreement with the University of Southern Mississippi and affiliation with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory allows students to take classes in large-water facilities and participate in summer research courses.
4. Ohio University, BS in Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology
Students seeking a broader degree encompassing both freshwater and marine organisms and environments will want to take a serious look at Ohio University’s Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology program. OU’s integrated freshwater and marine biology focus is a solid option for students looking for the flexibility to work in both inland and ocean environments and provides a great bridge program for students to later specialize in one or the other. The program’s required internship provides hands-on field experience, and students can opt for coastal internship experiences, and participate in outside field courses and summer research programs to gain real ocean experience.
5. Southeast Missouri State University, BS in Marine Biology
Southeast Missouri State University’s Marine Biology major combines rigorous core coursework in marine science with required courses in chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics, giving students a broad science background and strong analytical skills. Students are required to take at least one class at a coastal research station such as the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and participate in fieldwork at sites that include the Kelso Wildlife Sanctuary and the Reis Biological Station, gaining practical, hands-on field experience outside the classroom.
6. University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, BS in Biology: Marine Biology and Freshwater Ecology
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater’s Marine Biology and Freshwater Ecology concentration is unique among Midwestern programs, requiring students to complete two semesters of coastal and open ocean field, along with classwork at Deakin University in Australia, a great opportunity for students looking for a study-abroad experience. UW–Whitewater’s campus-based Great Lakes freshwater ecology education combined with the Australian marine experience provides a great bridge program for students looking to study both environments, and the Undergraduate Research and Research Apprenticeship programs offer students the opportunity to participate in inquiry-driven scholarship to prepare them for specialized graduate study or careers in marine biology.
Colleges with Majors Related to Marine Biology
The Great Lakes provide excellent opportunities to study freshwater aquatic life, and several Midwestern schools offer great programs in adjacent sciences like freshwater and aquatic biology, ecology, and fishery science:
- Ball State University, BA/BS in Biology: Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
- Bemidji State University, BS in Aquatic Biology
- Michigan State University, BS in Aquatic Ecology and Management
- University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, BS in Biology: Aquatic Science
- University of Wisconsin–Superior, BA/BS in Biology: Ecology/Aquatic Biology
While these programs don’t focus specifically on ocean life, they do offer a strong foundation in ecology and aquatic biology along with lab, fieldwork, and research experience that give students the core skills required to prepare for graduate study and specialization in marine biology.
Conclusion
The Midwest might not be the first place that comes to mind when building your list of colleges for marine biology, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great programs there. Combining rigorous on-campus classwork with outside partnerships that provide the critical real ocean field experience necessary for a career in marine biology, these landlocked schools offer dedicated marine biology and related majors that are solid options for students hoping to study marine biology while attending school in the Midwest.
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